AI and the Future of Work: What Today’s Students Need to Know
Recently, many Year 12 students have been asking questions about artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on future jobs, reflecting both curiosity and concern about what lies ahead. Students are keen to understand which careers may change, which skills will matter most, and whether AI could replace jobs they are considering.
AI is no longer a distant idea – it is already shaping the world of work our students will enter. From education and healthcare to business and creative industries, tools developed by organisations such as Anthropic and other AI leaders are increasingly being used to support human thinking, decision-making and productivity. The key message for young people is clear: AI is less about replacing humans, and more about changing how we work.
Recent findings from Job and Skills Australia’s 2025 report help put this into perspective. The report explains that generative AI (Gen AI) affects jobs in three main ways: automation (tasks done by machines), augmentation (humans working with AI), and adaptation (new ways of working emerging). Importantly, only around 4% of Australia’s workforce is in highly automatable roles, while 31% work in occupations that are highly augmentable. This means that for most people, AI is more likely to be a tool that enhances their work rather than replaces it.
Used well, Gen AI could increase productivity and overall economic output, potentially creating new jobs and industries. However, these benefits are not automatic. Success will depend on how flexible employers, workers and education systems are in adapting to change. Skills such as critical thinking, digital literacy, creativity, collaboration and ethical judgement will become even more valuable.
For our current Year 12 students making career decisions, the future of work is not about choosing “AI-proof” jobs, but about becoming adaptable learners who can work confidently alongside new technologies. This means building the skills and mindset to understand a rapidly evolving world of work and preparing not just for a first job, but for a lifetime of learning and adaptation.
See this post from Athropic for more information on the impact of AI on the labor market – Labor market impact of AI: A new measure and early evidence
Mrs Brodie Byrne
Careers Advisor (Acting)
